Support for exercising-bags.



PATBNTBD DEC. 12, 1905.

W. G. WOOD.

SUPPORT FOR EXERGISING BAGS. rung-Ion rum) mm; 1903.

VVILLIAM GRAHAM WVOOD, OF SAI\ FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA.

SUPPORT FOR EXERCISINGBAGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1905.

' Application filed March 3, 1903. Serial No. 145,963.

f0 aZZ whom, it nwty concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM GRAHAM WOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Supports for Exercising-Bags, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to those exercising or gymnastic devices commonly known as punching-bags or striking-bags and consisting of an inflated body generally of spherical or spheroidal shape suspended by a rope and adapted to be struck in boxing practice'.

The object of my invention is to improve the character of the supports for such bags partly by reducing friction to the minimum at the supporting-points, also by providing means for preventing the suspension-rope from being worn or cut during the violent and rapid movements of the bag, also byproviding means for holding the rope without knots, also by providing means for removing a piece of rope accidentally out off after long use with the rope-holding means provided, also by providing meansfor raising and lowering the bag with facility.

My improved devices can be applied either at the upper point of suspension-that is, at the connection of the rope to the ceilingor at the lower connection of the rope to the bag. In fact, such devices might be used at both connecting-points, their purpose of permitting the bag a perfectly free movement being accomplished in either case. I have therefore shown in the accompanying drawings embodiments of my invention adapted for use in both positions.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling-support comprising a universal gimbal-joint with the suspension-rope connected thereto. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a similar section at right angles to Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of a ceiling-support comprising a universal ball and socket joint provided with novel holding devices. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 6 is a modified arrangement for holding a ball-and-socket joint in position. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a ball-and-socket joint for connecting the suspension-rope to the loop or strap of the bag.

All the figures relate to the same subjectmatter, which is an improved way of suspending a punching-bag so as to give it perfect freedom of motion and prevent the rope from wearing. I am aware that a ball-joint has been used as a ceiling connection for punching-bags, and I do not claim such a joint or any universal joint broadly. Such joints as hitherto used have had the defect of exposing the rope during its swinging movements to wear against the edge of the socket which holds the ball and require a holding-knot to be tied in the rope. I may use and have shown ball-joints for suspension purposes as well as other joints of a substantially universal character; but in all cases I have provided means for preventing the wear referred to, so that my improvements while in part relating to certain improvements in universal suspension-joints are also of general application to all of such joints with regard to the special feature just referred to.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, I designate by 1 a base-plate which is provided with holes through which the screws pass, which secure it to the ceiling. This plate has a circular depending rim 2, which is internally screw-threaded and is formed at the bottom with a flange 3, preferably having a groove 4 to receive antifriction-balls 5. Within the casing formed by the rim 2 is a gimbal-joint composed of two rings 6 and 7 and the neck 11. Comparing Figs. 2 and 3, which are at right angles to each other, we find that in Fig. 2 rings 6 and 7 are connected by the pins 8, placed in line at opposite sides. At right angles, Fig. 3, ring 7 is connectedby pins 9 to the hollow neck 11, which receives the suspension-rope 12 without knotting or tying the rope. The neck extends down below the joint andreceives a setscrew 13 for securing the rope. This downward extension of the neck acts as a guard and protector for the rope, which cannot possibly come into contact with the lower edge of the rim or casing inclosing the joint. If after long use the rope should be worn through at the point of contact with the set-screw, the broken piece can be removed downwardly by any suitable implement inserted through the slot 10, Figs. 1 and 2. In the operation of this joint free motion in a horizontal plane is permitted by the connections between rings 6 and 7, and free movement in a vertical plane is allowed by the connections between ring 7 IIO previously described. Here the base-plate 1 and rim 2 are constructed substantially like the same parts in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, but the rim is constructed in the manner of a bayonet-joint and has a slot 16, so that the socket 17, which forms part of the universal joint,can be secured in place by the screwpins 18 and 19, one of such pins carrying the clamping-nut 20. Within the socket is a ball having an extended neck 21 and bored to receive the rope, which is held by the setscrew 13. Of course the ball has perfect freedom of motion; but the principal feature of this construction is found in the extension or neck of the joint, which protects the rope and prevents it from being cut or worn against the edge of the socket and holds it without tying knots. I

Fig. 6, so far as the operation of the joint and the protection and securing ofthe rope are concerned, is the same as those previously described. There is a slight modification in the manner of mounting the joint. The rim 2 instead of being formed with the base-plate 1 is a part of a separate plate 22, which is slipped into the an ular lugs 23 on the base-plate and is then he d by the pin 24 across the ends.

Fig. 7 is chiefly important as showin the application of a ball-joint to the bag itself in stead of to the ceiling. It may be desirable to use such a joint at the bag, and in such cases I desire to provide the proper protection for the rope to prevent its wearing or cutting against the socket. In this case the socket 34-is part of a plate 35, secured directly to the suspension-loop or to the plate 26, which clasps and reinforces said loop. The ball has the extended neck before described for guarding the rope from liability of contact with the edge of the socket.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A support for exercising-bags, comprising a stationary member and a movable member universally mounted within the stationary member; the movable member being provided with a hollow projecting neck which receives the suspension rope and forms a guard for the same, whereby the rope is prevented from coming into contact with the stationary member.

2. A support for exercising-bags, comprising a stationary member and a movable member universally mounted within the stationary member; the movable member being provided with a hollow projecting slotted neck which receives the suspension rope and forms a guard for the same, whereby the rope is prevented from coming into contact with the stationary member.

3. In a support for a punching-bag, a base-plate having a projecting rim, a movable part for a suspension-rope, seated in said rim, and a bayonet-joint connecting the movable part tosaid rim.

4. In a support for a punching-bag, a base-plate having a projecting rim, a movable part for a suspension-rope, seated in said rim, a bayonetjoint connecting the movable part to said rim, and a hollow neck or extension forming portion of the movable part through which the suspension -rope passes.

5. In a support for a punching-bag, a base-plate having a projecting rim, a movable part for a suspension-rope, seated in said rim, a bayonet-joint connecting the movable part to said rim, means for locking the bayonet-joint, and a hollow neck or extension forming part of the movable part through which the suspension-rope passes.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 14th day of February, 1903.

WILLIAM GRAHAM WOOD. Witnesses:

L. W. SEELY, F. M. BURT. 

